Ukrainian Drone Attack Fuels Fire at Russian Oil Tanker, Damages Tuapse Port
On Sunday, authorities in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia reported that a Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire on an oil tanker and damaged facilities at the Tuapse port, a major Russian oil terminal on the Black Sea. The incident occurred overnight, raising concerns about potential disruptions to oil exports.
The Attack and Its Immediate Impact
According to the local administration, the attack involved drone strikes that impacted the oil tanker. Shrapnel from the drones struck the upper structure of the tanker, leading to a fire. The crew was evacuated. The port houses the Tuapse oil terminal and the Tuapse refinery, both operated by Rosneft, which have been targeted by Ukrainian drones multiple times this year. Initial reports indicated damage to the port’s buildings and infrastructure, though the operational status of the refinery remains unclear.
Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian news channels shared images of the burning tanker and port facilities on Telegram, reporting multiple fires in the area. The Russian Ministry of Defense later announced that air defense units destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over the Krasnodar region. The Ministry did not specify the number of drones launched by Ukraine, only mentioning those that were destroyed.
Context and Strategic Implications
This attack on the oil tanker and port comes after reports indicated increased shipments from the port in November, suggesting potential negative repercussions for export flows. Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russian refineries, storage facilities, and pipelines in recent months, aiming to deplete fuel supplies, disrupt military logistics, and increase the costs of the ongoing war, framing these actions as a response to Russian attacks on the Ukrainian power grid.
Besides the oil tanker, the administration in Krasnodar confirmed damage to port buildings and other infrastructure. A drone also caused damage to a residential building in the village of Sosnovy, near Tuapse, with no reported casualties. Minor damage was also reported at the Tuapse railway station.
Source: Annahar
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